O. Rodger Hutchinson, JIS Writer

Administrative assistant at the centre, Doreen McFarlane, assists children with computer training. - JIS

Natardo Thompson and Adam Bernard could be described as typical 10-year-old boys attending primary school. Natardo dreams of becoming a scientist while Adam, who enjoys football and cricket, wants to become a soldier. They enjoy a fairly stable home and community life and attend the Point Hill Primary School in rural St Catherine.

But Natardo and Adam will first have to get over the hurdle of being classified as 'reading below their grade level' or being slow learners.

Natardo's mother, Antoinette Thompson, has visions of greatness for her child.

She was, however, devastated when she realised that her child was not learning as fast as his peers.

"It mek mi feel sad 'cause him nuh miss school and mi a wonder how him soh slow," she said.

Thompson explained that she tried getting help but was told by some teachers to be patient as "he would grow out his slowness".

Expert assistance

Literacy specialist at the Point Hill Diagnostic Reading Centre, Kellyanne Jackson, gives close attention to Adam Bernard (right) and Natardo Thompson.

Teachers at Point Hill Primary recommended that Natardo attend the Diagnostic Reading Centre next door where he would receive expert assistance.

"That made the difference," his mother explained.

Now he has a hunger to learn and wants to do his homework.

"If mi even tired and go to bed, he's not leaving 'til he finishes and that makes me feel good," she said with pride.

The only one of its kind outside Kingston, the Point Hill Diagnostic and Reading Centre caters to students between grades two and five with learning difficulties.

The centre, which was constructed at a cost of $9 million, started operations in September 2004. This was achieved through the generosity of several local and overseas funding partners, including the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, the Bank of Nova Scotia, the ministries of Education and Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Point Hill Community Alumni Association, the British High Commission and overseas friends of the Point Hill community.

One-on-one attention

Literacy education and reading workshops form a major part of the centre's curriculum. Those who attend are also taught basic elements of information technology and virtually receive one-on-one attention.

Encouraging and heightening home participation, the diagnostic centre instituted an innovative strategy which required parents to sign and date homework assignments in their child's workbook. Natardo's mother says this, though tough to handle sometimes, especially when she's had a tough day, keeps her abreast of his progress.

Full-time reading specialist at the centre, Kellyanne Jackson, said: "It's a lot of work but so far it's been rewarding."

The other specialist is Felma Morgan, a special educator who doubles as the centre's executive director.

The centre also employs two teacher assistants.

Natardo and Adam, Jackson points out, are just two of the many students with retention problems who attend the centre.

"First, an assessment is done and based on the outcome, we determine if the child needs phonic awareness or comprehension skills. We are then able to teach or plan for that child," she said.

She added that home support was also important. In some cases, she said, it's only the time spent at the centre that the child gets to do work. According to Morgan, the only solution to retention challenges was repetition.

"We'll have to just keep on reminding them, in different ways, using different strategies and methods and when all of this is combined, it is hoped that that it will work, that they'll actually remember," said Morgan.

Continuous assessment

Pointing out that a continuous assessment regime is used at the centre for the attendees, Jackson took great pains to highlight that since the students read below their grade level, success and progress has to be slowly and carefully measured.

"Some of them come to us knowing only two or three letters of the alphabet and if within a couple months they learn six letters of the alphabet, that for a slow learner is a lot, and I can't say any of my work has so far been in vain," said Jackson.

Email feedback to editorial@gleanerjm.com.